Steam log-turner



(No Model!) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1. J. EVERED.

STEAM LOG TURNER.

No. 576,663. Patented Feb. 9, 1897.

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J. EVBRED.

STEAM LOG TURNER. No. 576,663.. Patentedpeb. 9,1897.

` (Ud, 2 l n l, f3 7. (7 71 l 5/ /7/ ////I 3 T |o l o l" I s' W I T NESSES' 4 [Jv/VENTO?? f- NIT-ED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSHUA EVERED, OF DULUTI-I, MINNESOTA, ASSIGNOR OF TWO-TI-IIRDS TO LOUIS G. LANGE, OF SAME PLACE, AND ALBERT C. LANGE, OF MUSKE- GON, MICHIGAN. v

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 576,663, dated February 9, 1897.

Application filed April 17, 1893.

.To all, whom t may concern Be it known that I, J osHUn EvERED, a citizen of the United States, residing at Duluth, county of St. Louis, State of Minnesota, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Steam Log-Turners; and I declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention,such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to log-turners for sawmills, and to that class more especially known as steam log-turners; and it consists in the peculiar arrangements and combinations hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure l is a vertical elevation, partly in section, of my device, with means foroperatingthevalvesomitted. Fig. 2 illustrates the valve-operating mechanism. Figs. 3, 4, and 5 represent special details of the same.

Similar lettersrefer to similar parts.

In the drawings, A represents the floor of a sawmill.

B represents the log-deck.

O is an outline representation of a log-carriage in its relation to the log-carrier.

D represents a toothed bar or a bar carrying teeth which is intended to engage and roll the log in the manner common to all devices of this character. v

G represents a guide adapted to be moved on post E by means of iianges g g', which grasp the post in a manner common to such constructions. If desired, two posts can be used in the place of one and the cross-head G be carried between them by means of suitable guides. As the form of such constructions is common and well known, I do not deem that it is necessary to describe them in minute details.

The toothed bar D is pivoted to the upper end of the cross-head G in such manner that its upper extremity has a backward and forward movement, theforwa'rd movement permitting it to come t0 a perpendicular toward the log-carrier, and its backward movement, in the position shown in thel drawings, en-

Serial No. 470,779. (No model.)

A ables it to reach and engage a log behind the same when located upon the log-deck and in readiness to be moved over the stop thereon onto the log-carriage.

The cross-head G has a bracket G of convenient length extending from it and to the outer end of which is rigidly attached a hollow piston-rod I-I. Underneath the outer end of this bracket is mounted upon an appropriate foundation a steam-cylinder I, the upper end of which carries acylinderghead-.I'fand a stuffing-box, thalatter being of the usual form.

Passing through the cylinder-head J and longitudinally movable therein is the hollow piston-rod. At the lower end of this pistonrod there is firmly attached thereto a pistonhead K of peculiar construction and which in itself is also an auxiliary steam-cylinder. The movement of the piston-head K, through its connection by means of the hollow pistonrod II to the cross-head G, would compel the cross-head to `travel upon the guide E to the extent of the movement of the piston-head within the cylinder, andby means of the attachment of the lower end of the tooth-bar to the cross-head G would also compel the movement of the tooth-bar perpendicularly to the same extent.

Projecting from the rear side and lower end of the tooth-bar proper is a bracket L, the outer end of which is attached at L to a link L2. The upper end of the link at L3 is attached to a piston-rod M. This piston-rod is inserted in the hollow piston-rod H, passing through a stuffing-box at the point of the attachment of the hollow piston-rod H to the bracket upon the guide G. As the stuffingbox is of the usual form no detailed description of it is required. The lower `end of the piston-rod M is rigidly connected to a piston M within the hollow piston-head 0r auxiliary cylinder K. This auxiliary cylinder permits sufficient throw of the piston M to oscillate (by means of the piston-rod M and the connections through the bracket L to the toothed bar) the tooth-bar, as required in transferring the logs from the log-deck to the log-carriage in a manner that will be hereinafter described. It also-permit'smthe-topth-bar to oscillate in IOO rotating the log against the knees of the logcarriage due to irregularities in the size or shape of the log thus rotated. The lower end lll2 of the piston-rod M is hollow, the perforation therein extending through the pistonhead. Located within this hollow is a steampipe N, which is rigidly fastened through the bottom head of the main cylinder I at N. The lower head of the auxiliary piston-cylinder is bored out to receive it at N2, leakage of steam at that point being prevented by a steam-gland N3 and appropriate stuffing. The movement, therefore, of the auxiliary cylinder upon the pipe N is exactly the same as the piston-rod of a steam-cylinder is through the cylinder-head, with the exception that it is the head which moves, and not the pistonrod. The pipe N extends upward far enough so that it is never withdrawn from the auxiliary cylinder-head. Steam is admitted to the interior of and below the piston-head K of the auxiliary cylinder by means of the pipe N, it being obvious that steam, if admitted to the pipe N, would flow from the top of the same in the hollow of the interior piston-rod M, thence downward and underneat-h the piston in the auxiliary cylinder, the pressure causing it to rise to the extremity of its allowable motion. It is also obvious that by exhausting the steam from the interior and under side of the piston it will fall downward to its original position by gravity, as shown in the drawings. It is also obvious that by means of connections the raising of the auxiliary piston in the auxiliary cylinder will oscillate the upper end of the tooth-bar to correspond, and that this would be the case at any portion of the stroke of the piston-cylinder within th cylinder I.

P P are ports connected by appropriate passages P2 P3 to a steam-chest S. These ports lead into the main cylinder I at positions above and below the stroke of the auxiliary piston-cylinder.

R R are by-passages leading from the ports to the extreme ends of the cylinder I. These passages are relatively very small and permit the passage of steam in either direction comparatively slowly, and their object is to permit the cushioning of the auxiliary pistoncylinder at either end of its stroke, it being obvious that as steam is admitted at either end of it, if the auxiliary piston-cylinder has passed by and cut ott the main passage, steam will be admitted under it or above it by the auxiliary passage, and it will be forced to move until it uncovers the main passage, which will permit the admission of steam much more quickly. As it reaches the opposite end and passes by and cuts off the main port, steam is compressed between it and the cylinder-head, the auxiliary port being insuilcient to permit the steam to pass out with suflicient rapidity, and thus the further motion of the piston is arrested gradually by an elastic medium. This is an old and wellknown form of construction and does not form any part of my invention. For the purpose of securing these motions in their relation to each other, I have devised a new and important improvement in valve construction. Adjacent to the main cylinder is a steam-chest S, carrying two piston-valves S' S2 in appropriate seats. One valve, S', is designed to control admission to and exhaustion from the main cylinder, and the other, S2, connects with the auxiliary piston-cylinder. These valves are controlled by appropria-te valve-rods s s', connected with them, respectively. The valve S' is hollow throughont nearly its whole extent.

Surrounding the seating of the valve-stem in its upper end is bored a number of holes, all of which taken together have a greater area than the steam-port. These holes permit a free communication between the interior ot the hollow in the valve and the upper end of the steam-chest, in which the valve is located. The central portion of the valve is cut out circumferentially, so as to be of less diameter than the two ends. This forms at that portion a free passage entirely around the Valve.

Leading to the steam-chest is a steam-pipe S3, which is connected with any suitable source of steam-supply. The orifice from this pipe at S2 is so situated that it opens directly into the space surrounding the central portion of the valve, and the throw of the Valve is also so proportioned that such opening always communicates with that central space, it being closed oft from either end of the valve, which is by the two heads of the Valve, which are steam-tight, within the steam-chest.

Leading from the steam-chest are the two ports hereinbefore described,P P', butin such relation to the ends of the steam-chest and to the throw of the valve that they are passed upon either side, respectively, by the heads of the valve. Leading from the lower end of the steam-chest is the exhaust-pipe T. This is adjusted so that its orifice opens into or leads from the interior or hollow in the valve hereinbeiore described.

With reference to the Valve S2 it is a similar construction to that of the valve S', its central portion being turned down so as to form a circumferential recess. This, however, is not necessary in this valve, as it might be a plain D-valve. The inductionport, however, opens into the annular space which surrounds the valve in all positions in which it may be placed, the port, however, leading into the auxiliary cylinder through the pipe N and being so situated with relation thereto that it may be closed oft when the valve is lifted by means of the lower head of the valve sliding over its opening, and as the valve continues to be raised the port is allowed to open into the space below it. A

similar eduction-pipe is located at the end of the valve-chest and which, when the'valve is IOO IIO

raised, necessarily communicates with the port P and pipe N, permitting the steam within the auxiliary cylinder to escape thereby.

It is obvious that with the valve S in the position in which it is shown there is free communication from the upper portion of the cylinder I and above the auxiliary piston-cylinder through the port P to that portion of the steam-chest above the valve through the holes hereinbefore described and the perforation in the center of the valve to and through the eduction-pipe T, thus permitting steam to exhaust from the Lipper end of the cylinder I through the steam-chest and through the valve itself, while at the same time steam is permitted to enter by means of the inductionpipe SS into the steam-chest and the annular space surrounding the central portion of the valve S', thence through the port P into the lower portion of the cylinder I and underneath the auxiliary piston-cylin der, thereby compelling it naturally to rise, carrying with it the cross-head and the pivoted toothbar, performing Whatever Work it may be adjusted to do. The raising of the valve S to the extremity of its throw would reverse these conditions, as it opens communication with the upper port to the annular space surrounding it, and thence connecting with the induction-pipe. Simultaneously the lower port opens into the steam-chest below the valve and in direct communication with the eduction-pipe. In this manner steam is exhausted from the lower portion of the cylinder and permitted to enter the upper portion, thereby compelling the auxiliary piston-cylinder to descend therein and with it its attachments. The operation of the valve S2 is simpler, as not being connected with a doubleacting cylinder, but only with a single-acting cylinder. In the position shown in the drawings it permits free communication by means of the annular space surrounding it between the eduction-pipe and the pipe N. On raising it it first cuts off this communication, then afterward, by still farther raising it, opens the mouth of the pipe N and permits its contents, together with that of the auxiliary cylinder, to escape into the lower portion of the steam-chest and from thence into the eduction-pipe T. In order to operate these valves, I have devised a mechanism shown in Figs. 2, l3, 4, and 5; Fig. 2 being an elevation, partly in section; Fig. 3 beinga detailed View of the gimbal-joint carrying the operating-lever, as shown in Fig. 2; Fig. 4L being a detail view of the connecting-rod between the lower portion of the lever and bell-crank connections; Fig. 5 being a detail view of the bell-crank connection. In these drawings U represents a lever which is pivoted in a mortise in a rock-shaft U. This rock-shaft rotates in bearings U2 U3. It is obvious that this mode of attachment of the lever would ciple as a ball-bearin g. A ball-bearin g might my invention.

be substituted for it withoutdeparting from At the lower end of the lever U there are turned two bearings, on which are adjusted two connecting-rods V V. small hole u at the bottom permits the introduction of a pin, compelling the retention of the connecting-rods upon the lower end of the lever U. The opposite ends of these connecting-rods are connected by rotating bearings to bell-cranks X X, the opposite end of the bell-cranks being connected to theupper ends ofthe valve-stems S S'. It is obvious that as the connecting-rods V V, at their point of attachment upon the lever U when the lever U stands perpendicularly, are at right angles the movement of the lever in the longitudinal direction of one of the connecting-rods and transversely as to the other would operate the bell-crank connected to the lever that is moved longitudinally, but would not operate the bell-crank connected to the connecting rod, the end of which is only moved transversely.

That the reverse motion would operate the opposite bell-crank, and that out of the two motions any combined relative operation of the two bell-cranks could be obtained, and as the valve-stems are connected therewith, it is obvious that the valves would be moved accordingly and that thereby steam would be admitted or discharged, or admitted or discharged relatively into either the main cylinder I or the auxiliary piston-cylinder K, as might be desired by the operator.

The further descriptione of this device, in view of the detailed operation of its several parts, is unnecessary.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim isl. In a log-rolling machine, the combination of a toothed bar pivoted at its lower end to a vertically-guided cross-head rigidly attached to the piston-rod of an upright cylinder, the toothed bar having a bracket at its lower end which is radially connected to the piston-rod of an auxiliary cylinder formed within the piston-rod of the main cylinder, both cylinders being operated by suitable steam-valves, levers, and connections, so that the toothed bar may be elevated or depressed and independently oscillated, substantially as described and for the purpose set forth.

2. In a log-turner, the combination of a cylinder, two pistons working therein, and a bar for operating on the log, connected with both pistons, substantially as described.

3. In a log-turner, the combination of a cylinder, two pistons working therein, a bar for operating on the log, and connectionsl between the pistons and operating-bar, one of said pistons being connected to the bar near the lower end thereof, and the other to a lateral extension of the same, whereby the pistons may move said bar laterally, substantially as described.

4. In a log-turner, the combination of a cylinder, two pistons working therein, a toothed IOO IIO

neeted with said bar, a second piston-rod working in the hollow piston-rod ya-n'doonneeted with and adapted yto aetuate said bar, a steam-supply and `steam-conduit leading therethrough, and a telescopio/connection between the steam-conduit and hollow'piston, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I sign this :specification in the presenoeof two witnesses.

JOSHUA EVERED. V-itnesses:

WILSON G. CROSBY, ALFRED MCCORDIC. 

